UB is committed to reducing the harmful effects of climate change by utilizing clean and renewable energy sources such as hydro, geothermal, wind and solar to generate electricity. Our goal is to purchase 100% of our electricity from clean sources by 2025.
New York State's energy and carbon reduction goals as well as the newly enacted Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act provide a solid foundation upon which the committee will work. In addition, our university will further policy development at the local level and continue partnering with NYSERDA and other community partners to leverage purchasing power of anchor community institutions for large scale renewable purchases.
UB is on track to install approximately 12 megawatts of on-site solar within the year, which will consist of ground-mounted arrays as well as rooftops. This will increase campus capacity by 15 times the current levels. In addition to the on-site work, a consortium of local institutions, including UB, is also drafting an off-site RFP that will boost overall acquisition to 50% of UB’s overall electricity consumption.